"If you're going through hell... Keep going!"

Cycling in Wilanow - Spring 2012 edition

2012-08-27T22:27:00.001+01:00

22nd April 2012

Warsaw is one of the greeniest capitals in the World - also thanks to Wilanow, a host to the Royal Wilanow Palace and it's park, nearby which we cycled.

View on the Warsaw from the top!

2012-04-07T22:24:00.000+01:00

7th April 2012

Together with Lukas, we have managed to get to the top of Palace of Culture and Science to have a great view on Warsaw during sunny, spring day.

As you can see the Polish capital has skyscrappers mainly in the city center, while the rest is widely spread to the horizon.

Famous Marszalkowska street from old Polish saying "Traffic as on Marszalkowska"

New National Stadium on Praga - East side of the Wisla River

Marriot Hotel (to the left) and in the center freshly cleaned for EURO2012 - central train station

New scyscrapper desinged by Libenskid - Zlota 44

So as you see - Warsaw is highly developing city in the new heart of Europe - worth seeing and visiting!

Experiencing Warsaw in Winter/Spring break

2012-03-11T17:22:00.002Z

Wonder how the city lives during weekend? Here are some pictures I took from my walk around the city:)

Experiencing Warsaw in Winter/Spring break - random photos

Football opening of National Stadium in Warsaw

2012-03-11T17:20:00.000Z

Finally the National Stadium had its sport opening! The football game between Poland and Portugal (0-0) wasn't on spectacular level.

However, the night was about the stadium, event organization and city preperation which in general was on high level and well done.

So now the city is looking forward into EURO 2012 Championships!

Football opening of National Stadium in Poland

Andorra - Skiing destination of 2012

2012-02-13T22:09:00.000Z

I can greatly recommend skiing trip to Andorra - Grandvalira region (http://www.grandvalira.com) which has over 205 km of slopes (check the interactive map: http://www.grandvalira.com/en/node/3356?e=invierno).

The resort is well organized and maintained, that all the tracks are safe and enjoyable for differently advanced skiers. The views of Pyrenees mountains that surround the resort are breathtaking and if you catch the sunny weather then you got yourself a wonderful holiday!

Pictures from short walk in Barcelona and Pas de la Casa are as usual in my Picasa Album:

Andorra - Skiing destination of 2012

Manchester, UK - Visit to the beloved city!

2011-12-11T21:18:00.000Z

Manchester is one of the cities worth going back to - for so many reasons - one of them this year was world class football presented by the Manchester United. More to add that we joined celebration of 25th anniversary of Sir Alex Ferguson working at Old Trafford. To hounour him the North Stand was named Sir Alex Ferguson Stand!

We enjoyed a lovely weekend-city break while sightseeing the old spots we all admired while living there - great to catch up with the city!:)

More photos in the Picasa Album:

Manchester visit in 2011

Autumn in Wilanow Palace Park

2011-10-04T21:32:00.000+01:00

October 2011

First glance at Autumn in Wilanow Palace Park - more of Gold Polish Autumn is due to come...

Autumn in Wilanow Palace Park

Warsaw by Night

2011-10-04T21:30:00.000+01:00

October 2011

Photography by night is very demanding - it requires precision, accuracy and a tripod:) We have decided to walk around old city of Warsaw and catch the moment and appreciate the attractions by night - results can be viewed in Picasa album:

Warsaw by Night

October in Wilanow Palace

2011-10-04T21:28:00.000+01:00

October 2011

The summer went fast - without many sunny days, so the beginning of autumn with its bright sun was a great opportunity to relax in Wilanow Palace park - especially after recent renovation which brought past brightness alive.

The park and palace look very representative and full of life thanks to great cultural events organized by ambitious team.

October in Wilanow Palace

Warsaw during workday

2011-10-04T21:25:00.000+01:00

October 2011

Thanks to visit of my grandfather I was able to see Warsaw during a workday as a tourist and appreciate calmness, silence in Wilanow Park and city centre without the stress of work. This day off really gave me a lot of energy!

Warsaw during workday

Golden Sands in Bulgaria

2011-10-04T21:14:00.000+01:00

September 2011

Last time I visited Golden Sands in Bulgaria was with youngsters camp - which you may guess was a different type of trip, than this year holidays - well deserved after whole year of hard work.

Golden Sands is a place to recommend - with the great beach, warm sea and sun that does not burn the skin. There are many attraction during day and night for every age so that's a place to visit!

More pictures in the Picasa album:

Golden Sands in Bulgaria

Kabacki Woods in Warsaw

2011-10-04T21:10:00.000+01:00

August 2011

The summer of 2011 was not very sunny and enjoyable due to cold weather and rain, nevertheless we had a chance to catch some sun and we went to explore the Kabacki Woods, Botanic Gardens and Powsin Cultural Park - places in our neighbourhood which we recommend to visit!

Photos available in the Picasa album below:

Kabacki Woods in Warsaw

Polish National Stadium - the Open Day

2011-07-24T17:30:00.002+01:00

The National Stadium in Warsaw has been built on the ruins of the old stadium, which was a host to market where people traded everything for many years.

The new stadium can host 58 000 people and looks really wonderful, the architecture amaze everyone - you can check it out in my Picasa Album.

The stadium was supposed to be open in June 2011, but it will be officially opened in November 2011... well it will be ready for Euro 2012!

Polish National Stadium in Warsaw

Book recommendation: The Adventure Capitalist

2011-06-23T17:31:00.000+01:00

I often search for the great entrepreneurial books - mainly about great entrepreneurs (Richard Branson biography) or some marketing inspiration (Seth Godin, Meerman Scott). However, it was the first time I engaged in a travel that focused on trading goods bought in one country to be sold in another one.

The adventure capitalist by Conor Woodman is a title I recommend, as it shows very interesting places around the world and their people making every day living out of trading. These places differ by techniques of trading, culture and climate - which all in total makes this a valuable lesson.
The world reveals as not managed or run by big multinational companies. It's rather down to us, those small businesses that make it work for Corporations and world.

The surprising fact is that not all the trades are successful or work well. Trading is not simple as it involves many factors and people. Therefore it is a charming true adventure through trade around the world.

Involved: camels, coffee, chilli, horses, jade, inflatable surfboards, fish-mackerels, wood...

Oh well - read it and you won't regret it!:)

Available through Amazon

Apparently the whole adventure was also filmed and available on YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD6o4J1X9wg

Warsaw uncovered by bike

2011-06-23T17:15:00.000+01:00

It always strikes me that even the big, metropolitan cities like Warsaw, London, Paris, Berlin which I visited, have areas, even nearby city centre which look like village - full of nature. Here Warsaw - Siekierki area.

One of the bridges across Wisla in Warsaw - Siekierkowski Bridge

National Stadium in Warsaw - building in process...

The view on Poniatowski bridge and the National stadium.

Warsaw is a great Polish city to cycle around as it has many bike paths which lead to the main attractions and destinations.

I am waiting for the Biking in Warsaw brochure to sightsee the most of Warsaw cycling.

Welcome in Warsaw!

Valencia - City Break 26-30 April

2011-05-22T18:38:00.001+01:00

Valencia is a wonderful city in Spain - not as tourist as Barcelona, but so worth sight-seeing! Therefore, you won't see many tourists fighting to take a good picture as in Park Guell in Barcelona - which is a positive aspect!

Valencia surprises by the city design - where historic area is well connected and supplemented by the XXI century architecture. The city of arts and science is a magnificent architectural piece - with Opera which looks like space ship, cinema that's like an eye in a water, the Science museum, Agora and Oceanarium. This centre of culture and science offers a lot of attractions for everyone - from science experiments, 3D movies to dolphins show and unusual sea animals.

What fascinates me the most about Valencia, is that they moved the river outside the city in 1957 - which resulted in the creation of parks, playgrounds, chillout area for citizens of Valencia in the channel of the river! I admire this decision of local government who could easily sell this area for business, roads, commercial use - but instead created a wonderful area for relax, leisure, culture and science.

I wonder if we could move Wisla in Warsaw out of the city? And what would happen with that area?

Opera building

Ciutad de les artes y de las Ciencias

Agora building

Dolphins show

Unusual flowers - micro photography

Turtules - micro photography

City of Culture and Sciences on water...

Funny road signs in the park

Old Valencia

Cathedral and the Plaza de la Reina

Historical Valencia

More pictures in the Picassa album:

Valencia - City Break 26-30 April 2011

Golden Polish Autumn in Wilanow

2010-12-05T16:12:00.001Z

Golden Polish Autumn is a wonderful time of year, sometimes it lasts a month, sometimes a day - that I can't even have time to capture it! This year it was wonderful showing all best it has - expressive, deep colours of leafs and bushes created a romantic atmosphere around.

Here are some pictures I captured during a walk around neighbourhood:

Wilanow - newly designed blocks of flats, that makes everyone think that this is Spain

Life in Wilanow

2010-12-05T15:47:00.001Z

Wilanow is a wonderful district of Warsaw where we currently live. The new Wilanow area has been designed by famous architect - Perry from INVI architects and gained a lot of prestigious awards for design.

September 2010 pictures below and in Picasa Album

More pictures at Picasa Album:

Wilanów - Nowe Miasteczko Wilanów

Holidays in Hungary

2010-12-05T15:34:00.002Z

Hungary is a wonderful holidays destination because of:

swimming pools with thermal water (hot water from underground which keeps high degrees 28-35C) which are hot all year long so even in winter you can sit outside and enjoy...
... great, tasteful, delicious local wine
whichever region you go to - you will enjoy their wine made in small, family-driven vineyards

We have gone to Eger region - every day different swimming pool and vineyard in Egerszalok - can't complain!

tasteful wine from Egerszalok!

Greatly accommodated vineyards in mountains.

Marzipan museum in Eger

Water jumping!

More pictures of Hungary - Eger region at Picasa Album:

Węgry - Miskolec-Egerszalok-Eger-Damjen-Poprad

Master of Science in Project Management Graduation

2010-12-05T15:25:00.001Z

Achieving Master of Science in Project Management at University of Salford was a great adventure which allowed me to gain very useful knowledge and skills, which I utilize in my work and private life.

Moreover, while living in United Kingdom I was able to meet great people from various countries, cultures who became my colleagues an friends forever.

The visit to UK will be always melancholic and enjoyable as this culture, country is overwhelming with it's possibilities and culture mix.

Here some views from the travel to Salford&Manchester in August 2010.

Salford Quays - still growing in strength as a new business centre

Me and Łukasz Szczekala - best Masters of Project Management

old, good, red brick buildings in Manchester

Printworks in Manchester - city centre

Congratulations to all graduates of Master studies in Project Management at University of Salford 2009-2010. I wish you all success in the future careers!

More pictures at my Picasa Album:

Master of Science in Project Management Graduation

Surprisingly wonderful Amstedam

2010-07-05T21:34:00.001+01:00

When going to Amsterdam for a business trip I was expecting busy, tired city - and I was shocked - positively! Amsterdam is the city I could live in - with the great architecture which connects the British style of post-industrial buildings with the new designs and style.
I was lucky to have a sunny weather which allowed me to enjoy the boat trip through the canal which is the main route of the city centre as the city was build on the artificial islands connected by bridges.

I recommend visiting this city as it has a great spirit of freedom, relax and respect for everyone!

Wonderful building as a welcome - train station

Houses on the water! The great invention as they go up when the water raises - no more floods!

Gorgeous, thin houses with the hook on the top - they are placed there to move the furniture into the flats as the stairs are very narrow but windows are wide:)

Most of the canals are surrounded by barges and restaurants...

...but also water houses where people live as in the normal house!:)

Another great view from the boat.

Ajax Amsterdam stadium - as usual the football stadium was on my map

My Ukrainian friend - Oleksander who is making career in Amsterdam and was my host:)

bicycles... everywhere - the most enjoyable way of transport!

Isn't that just wonderful?

Amsterdam has loads to offer for everyone - I enjoyed the architecture, bicycle routes and canals - but you may find other ways to enjoy this city:)

More pictures from Amsterdam at my Picasa Album:

Amsterdam 2010

Bieszczady mountains

2010-07-05T20:36:00.000+01:00

There are place everyone loves to come back to. One of that places are Bieszczady mountains in south-east of Poland. I first climbed to Polonina Wetlinska at the age of 7 and then continued to walk up and down during my junior high school times and high school times. Sometimes with the backpack which carried clothes and food for 3 days. It was tough but great lesson of respect to the mountains, exercise building the character and strength. The success of reaching the peak was great - after the hard work, team work, pain it felt amazing.

We came back for that feeling of happiness, but also freedom which you can feel surrounded by unlimited space and nature. The best moments are the once we share with the closest people so we shared this adventure with Aga and Lukas, who are like family to us!:)

Entrance to the route towards the peak of Polonina Carynska - Marta, Aga and Lukas warming up:)

Mountain stream

The track within lovely trees and bushes

Peak of the mountain with the glade

Signpost showing our target to be at 1297 m

The gorgeous view from the top on the Bieszczady mountains shared between Poland and Ukraine

Early May... but the snow was still present at the top!

Our pack of friends - happy because of the great achievement and fun

Impressive environment and surroundings

As usual - more pictures from this amazing place available through my Picassa album:

Bieszczady mountains, Poland

Back to the routes... Rymanow

2010-07-04T19:08:00.000+01:00

After long absence in Rymanow in south-east Poland, where I spent most of my holidays until the age of 18 (from 4th year) I went for a lovely weekend with my family.

Lovely fruit trees populate the area where few years ago we used to weed the potatoes.

Everywhere I go the football is around and with me. This is where I was training, improving my skills with imaginary players and real friends:) This metal goal replaced the first wooden goals we had. During the best days of that pitch we had the nets on both goals were we practised penalties and free kicks.

Ah! And behind the goal are flowers - underneath together with 2 friends we dig and placed our toys... we said that when we get older will come back dig them out:)

It's good to have a good childhood memories and place to go back...:)

Holidays in Hurghada, Egypt 2010

2010-07-04T18:05:00.004+01:00

Everyone needs a break from time to time to "charge the batteries" and have a break from everyday duties. We decided to be like pharaons - with the full service and high standard we went to the place where weather is 99% certain - hot with warm sea - Egypt!

Egypt is a lovely place for these reasons:

amazing coral reefs close to the hotels and sea surface so we could have do snorkelling instead of diving. We have seen amazing, colourful reefs with wonderful fishes - all sizes and colours. Once we went on the boat trip with few stops to see different reefs in the sea - I recommend that trip - to Giftun Island where after snorkelling everyone can relax on sand beach.
ancient places are very close to wherever you go. We were staying in Hurghada so decided to go to Luxor to see the Pharaoh tombs in the mountains. These are placed deep underneath the mountains.
Luxor Temple - magnificent temple with large columns and statues decorated with colourful paintings all over them

It was very enjoyable stay... however adventurous as always...

20 minutes before we landed in Egypt the Polish president's airplane with him and 80 other Polish officials crashed in Russia and national mourning was announced for a week (week of our holidays!)... so the atmosphere among the Polish tourists was not the best...
Because of the ash cloud our one week holidays were extended to one more week... The waiting was quite exhausting as the officials were "closing" and "opening" the sky every couple of hours. In the meantime we were transferred to 2** hotel with friendly staff but horrible standard (cats in the restaurant, awful food). After first lunch I caught the Pharaohs disease which is quite unpleasant and ended in the doctor's office...

But hey! Egypt is still worth going to see the reefs, enjoy great weather, warm sea and ancient architecture and places!

Morturary Temple of Hatshepsut

Ancient painting

Paint is still fresh and colourful after so many centuries!

Colossi of Memnon

Luxor and Nile

Entrance to the Luxor Temple. The alley of gods with the ram heads.

The scarab for luck:)

One of the very few obelisks which survived in the Egpyt.

The bay at the Sunny Days hotel, which I recommend at it has this natural swimming pool!

Magnificent columns in the Luxor Temple with paintings and sculptures carved in them.

Relaxing at the red sea which is so clear and transparent that you can see the reef even on this picture!

Marta at our hotel's bay with the BagIt Poland bag!

Sunny Days Hotel - I recommend this hotel as it has natural bay of the sea and the hotel rooms are around it! It is natural swimming pool!

The sunset at the Red Sea.

More pictures from Egypt with M&M on them is available as usual in my Picasa album:

Holidays in Hurghada, Egypt 2010

Puma&Pepsi football advert

2010-03-13T22:29:00.002Z

Football is my passion and some kind of religion I celebrate. Playing this beautiful game makes me excited, passionate and positive. It is about the team, individual capabilities and skills, strategy and tactics... and more importantly about the style...
Style and originality has been exposed in the newest Puma advert - I just love it. A bunch of British football fans singing a song in the traditional pub, having a pint of lager or ale - enjoying the game: enjoy the advert!
After watching this advert I just want to go back to Manchester and enjoy the game once again:)

I was wondering what song they were singing and finally found the original version:)

another football advert I really enjoyed recently is called "Oh Africa" by Pepsi

and the old Pepsi advert I came across which is very funny

Enjoy the wonderful game!